Nikki Henry is named new Director of
JCC College Avenue Early Childhood Services

Nikki Henry has been named the new Director of the JCC College Avenue Early Childhood Program, and already has begun transitioning into the position, while continuing as the Camp Ora director through the summer.

Nikki has been a part of the JCC's Early Childhood program for more than 26 years. She was the first recipient of the Shehechyanu Award (1998), directed the JCC College Avenue Infant/Toddler Program, served as assistant director for the JCC College Avenue Early Childhood program, coordinated the Family Parenting Center, and for the past two years, has directed the JCC North Early Childhood program. Nikki also has directed Camp Yeladim, Camp Ora and Camp Chaverim during the summer months.

Nikki's selection was made after a national search overseen by early childhood parents and teachers and based upon key traits and qualities both groups were looking for in a new director.

"We have a very passionate and invested group of parents and teachers who want the very best for our program," said Carol Folkerth, JCC's Executive Director. "Once we identified and prioritized the skill set we were most interested in finding in our Early Childhood Director, we realized that Nikki was the best candidate. We are absolutely delighted that she has accepted the position."

The search for a new director of the JCC North Preschool is underway.

Camp Yeladim Campers Have
a Great Start to Summer

There is no doubt that kids are cute - especially when they're learning new things.

Take these kids, for example, as they have fun during the first few weeks of Camp Yeladim at the JCC College Avenue location. In the top photo, Yeladim camper Charlie Tuckerman receives instructions on how to float on his back from lifeguard Ben Winter. In the middle photo, Madeline Levi was part of the group decorating flower pots, which were later delivered to the residents at Wexner Heritage House as part of Camp Yeladim's Tzedakah/Mini Mensch project. In the bottom photo, Yeladim campers (left to right) Charlie Fingerhut, Madeleine Levi and Caleb Schwartz-Becker start Shabbat by covering their eyes and saying the blessing as the candles are lit.

Spots are still available in this season's JCC Summer Camps. For more information, click here.

Caped Crusader Visits Camp Ora

Batman visited Camp Ora during the first week of summer camp - and were the campers surprised!

"Batman ran around the camp and visited with all of the groups," said Camp Ora Director Nikki Henry.

The appearance of the Superhero is in keeping with this year's Summer Camp theme, "Discover the Superhero in You." To fulfill the theme's goal, each week a different superhero attends camp to teach the Judaic value of the week. Values include respect, protecting the earth, community, watching what you say, love for your country, courage of the heart, responsibility and Israel.

(An interesting, little-known fact about Batman: He was created in 1938 by Bob Kane, a Jewish teenager working for Detective Comics - later known as "DC Comics" - to follow up on the success of Superman, which he also created for DC.)